Venus Williams cruises into second round

Venus Williams has started her 14th Australian Open campaign with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Maria Teresa Torro-Flor.

It was a difficult start for the 18th seed as her Spanish opponent forced her to save three break points in the first game of the match.

Williams asserted her dominance in the next game by breaking to love to strike a crucial blow to Torro-Flor's hopes of making a positive start in the Hisense Arena.

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Torro-Flor would struggle on serve throughout the match, and Williams was keen to take advantage as she broke again to wrap up the opening set.

The 34-year-old, who has not reached the fourth round in Melbourne since 2010, offered hope to her rival by losing her serve early in the second set, but she responded quickly to get back on level terms.

Williams persisted with an aggressive approach when facing Torro-Flor's vulnerable serve, and another break of serve followed as she secured a routine win in just over an hour.